GPS and Tach Install

[gaillarry]

Just spent some big $$ on a Garmin GPS system and a Baron's Tach. Are there write ups on the forum on how to install these? A tutorial with pics with be very helpful, as I'm not an electrical guy.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by gaillarry

Just spent some big $$ on a Garmin GPS system and a Baron's Tach. Are there write ups on the forum on how to install these? A tutorial with pics with be very helpful, as I'm not an electrical guy.

Check Gadget's page for installation info for a tach. I can't get to Gadget's page from work, so I can't say for sure.

To install a GPS you mount it somewhere and run power to it. Don't know what year of bike you have, since you failed to mention it. If it's a 1600, there is an accessory power connection inside your headlight bucket.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

RAM makes some good mounts for GPS. Like Scott said there is a place inside the headlight bucket you can get power from.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Check Gadget's page for installation info for a tach. I can't get to Gadget's page from work, so I can't say for sure.

I haven't been able to get to it at work for the last 2 or 3 months. I'm waiting for KawaNOW to be filtered out also. Can't even get to our Church's web site anymore. IT at work. :(" title="" border="0"/>

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

I haven't been able to get to it at work for the last 2 or 3 months. I'm waiting for KawaNOW to be filtered out also. Can't even get to our Church's web site anymore. IT at work. :(" title="" border="0"/>

Our Websense system at work blocks websites, at random it seems at times.

[gaillarry]

It's a 1600, I'll have a look inside the headlight. I believe the dealer used that wiring for the lightbar, but I'll soon find out. Thanks

[ringadingh]

The tach should come with instructions, they're easy to install, and the GPS just plugs into a lighter socket.

[Top Cat]

How big is big money?
I spent $630 on a Zumo 550 but it came with a mount and a wire to hard wire it. Those two items alone if bough seperatly are in the neighborhood of $150 so I didn't think the price was to bad.
I just put a Barons tach on my wifes 900 Lt , not that tough. just follow the directions that came with it.

[mikestorm]

Not sure if the below link works, but a user who goes by 'Bubba' posted really great instructions which I used.

http://kawanow.proboards.com/index.c...68&post=275820

Gadget's instructions are accurate but more complicated than Bubba's instructions, as his involves splicing and the wiring is in two places (headlight canister and coil) while the above wires everything on/around the coil.

I used these and the install wasn't too bad.

[gaillarry]

Found these two unused connectors in the headlight bucket. Each has a double connection. One is black/yellow and the other is blue/white. Which one is ground and which is power?

I presume I can use these to wire up the tach and the GPS.

[ringadingh]

The black/yellow is ground, the other is power. Im pretty sure these are constant live power. Is this what you want or do you want a switched circuit with the ignition?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by gaillarry

Found these two unused connectors in the headlight bucket. Each has a double connection. One is black/yellow and the other is blue/white. Which one is ground and which is power?

I presume I can use these to wire up the tach and the GPS.

Black/yellow is ground, the other is constant +12vdc. Since it is constant power, it would not be suitable for powering a tach. I do use this connection for powering my GPS, though.

[jay02904]

I use a Ram mount and a Kuryakyn 12V cigarette lighter/power plug both mounted to the middle of the handle bars so they are more protected by the windshield.

[macmac]

Tachs wire up in a few different ways depending on the tach.

I have no idea how this tach wants to be wired.

A standard tach will have 4 wires.

Red to power, but power must be off when the key is off. (I used the power from the amber running lamps)

Blue to power the tachs internal light. ( I twisted mine to the red wire, so te light is on any time the amber lights are on day or night)

Black is ground and goes to any bolt on the frame, or to any black and yellow wire on the bike.

Green to number 1 coil (-) terminal.

On a Nomad this is on the left side as seated, the most outter primary wire on the coil. Take my word for it since the coil has no (+) or (-) marking period, and I have no idea why. I suppose a bean counter thought it would cost $0.0000000001 cent.

I hope the dealer did not use any wire that could be off the ACC circuit to run any 55 watts each pair of passing lamps!.

Oh yeah, If this tach is wired this way, expect it to read full rpm with a flip of the key, just like the speedo does. That is normal. Let both the speedo and the tach settle before you press start!

Another Oh Yeah! Since I can't trust a dealer knows anything ::)

If I were you I would get a length of black wire and bolt it to the ft forks somewhere, AHEAD of the goose neck bearings. Then pass it back to the frame, and bolt it up to an existing bolt there too.

IF the dealer has the passing lamps grounded to the front forks and no other ground, your ground then passes right through the goose neck bearings, and it will arc in them and eat them alive.